COURSE POLICY STATEMENT
Composing with Popular Culture
English 106 First-Year Composition
41689 – ENGL 10600 – 153
Spring 2010
Instructor: Alexandra Hidalgo
Office: HEAV 208. Email: ahidalgo@purdue.edu
OFFICE HOURS: Wednesday 2:25-3:25
Course Description
In this course you will be taught to think rhetorically when developing written and visual documents. You will learn to determine and fulfill the needs of your audience as you create different kinds of texts, as well as to show yourself to be a trustworthy source through your tone and the correct use of research.
We will examine the roles of heroes and superheroes in both our culture and pop culture in order to analyze and create multimodal rhetorical texts.
Course Texts
Dynamics in Document Design by Karen A. Schriver
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, Edited by Donald Gray
Runaways Vol. 1 by Brian K. Vaughan, Adrian Alphona, and Takeshi Miyazawa
As a class we will watch Carl Deal and Tia Dessin’s 2008 documentary Trouble the Water, Zana Briski and Ross Kauffman’s 2005 documentary Born Into Brothels, and Ethan and Joel Cohen’s 1998 film The Big Lebowski. The screenings will take place on the evenings that are most convenient to the majority of the students. I will not take attendance at the screenings. If you cannot attend, you can watch the films on your own, but you must make sure to watch them, as they will be pivotal to our class discussion.
You will also print texts that I will email you or post on our course website.
EXTRA CREDIT: Those interested in earning one extra credit percentage point can attend the Thursday, Feb. 25 performance of Henrik Ibsen’s play An Enemy of the People with me. Our group discount tickets will be $10. You will need to commit to attending by Monday, Feb. 1. In order to receive the extra credit, you will write a short response to the play from the perspective of its treatment of heroism.
Other Resources
Purdue Writing Lab (HEAV 226) http://owl.english.purdue.edu/
Digital Learning Collaboratory (Basement of Hicks) http://dlc.purdue.edu/index.cfm
Purdue Libraries: http://www.lib.purdue.edu/#catalogs
Computer Labs: http://www.itap.purdue.edu/tlt/lab/about.cfm
Course Assignments
Project 1 Analytical Paper (individual project) 20%
Project 2 Video (groups of 3-4 students) 20%
Project 3 Website (individual or in pairs) 20%
Portfolio 20%
Quizzes and In-Class Participation 15%
Attendance 5%
TOTAL: 100%
Tentative Class Schedule
ALL DUE DATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Monday, February 22 Project 1 draft due (bring an electronic copy)
Thursday, February 25 Project 1 due
Tuesday, March 23 Drafts of Film Plan, Screenplay and Storyboard for Project #2 due
Monday, April 5 Project 2 due
Tuesday, April 20 Project 3 draft due
Monday, April 26 Project 3 due
Thursday, April 29 Portfolio draft due
Sunday, May 2 Portfolio due
Late Work
Workshop drafts must be ready on the day of the workshop to receive any credit. Missed quizzes cannot be made up. A letter grade will be deducted per each day that a project is late.
Attendance
Students will be expected to show up for every class and pay attention, but I realize that illnesses and other emergencies do come up. Therefore, you may miss six classes or conferences without penalty. After that, one percentage point will be deducted for every class session you miss. If you miss more than fifteen classes and/or conferences, whether your absences are excused or not, you will receive a failing grade. For extended absences due to medical or family emergencies, you should consult me upon return, if not sooner. A student who attends class but is not participating or paying attention will be counted as absent. Tardiness is inexcusable. Every tardy equals half an absence. The same applies for anyone who leaves class early. Bonus points will be awarded to students who miss fewer than their allotted six absences and who participate responsibly in class. You will receive one extra credit percentage point per each class you attend beyond your allotted six absences. For example, if you miss no classes and have no tardies, you will earn six percentage points.
Notifications
I will use our course email list to notify you of important information between class meetings. Plan to check your email account at least once a day. Email is an effective and efficient way to reach me. I will check my email daily. In the event of a major campus emergency, course requirements, deadlines and grading percentages are subject to changes that may result in a revised semester calendar.
Students with Disabilities
Students with disabilities must be registered with Adaptive Programs in the Office of the Dean of Students (http://www.purdue.edu/ODOS/adpro/Welcome.html) before classroom accommodations can be provided. If you are eligible for academic accommodations because you have a documented disability that will impact your work in this class, please schedule an appointment with me as soon as possible to discuss your needs.
Student Code of Conduct
Purdue University has adopted a Student Code of Conduct (http://www.purdue.edu/ODOS/osrr/conductcode.htm). All students must behave in a mature manner and respect others. You should avoid all disruptions to instruction. Cell phones and ipods must be turned off prior to class time. Do not work on reading or assignments for other classes nor engage in other forms of reading and writing not related to the class. Do not distract others by talking or whispering. You should abstain from packing your things before class time is over.
Academic Dishonesty
Students who knowingly plagiarize will be reported to the Dean of Students. Plagiarism can result in failing the course. For a definition of plagiarism and an explanation of university policies see http://www.purdue.edu/ODOS/osrr/integrity.htm.
The Writing Lab
The Writing Lab offers consultations to graduate and undergraduate students at Purdue. You can visit the Lab for feedback on any aspect of writing, including getting started on an assignment, grammar, or developing an argument. Sessions are thirty minutes long, so come with some specific questions about your assignment. To make an appointment for a consultation, you call at 494-3723 or stop by Heavilon 226. For more information about the Writing Lab, you can visit http://owl.english.purdue.edu/writinglab/.
Additional Information About English 106 Requirements and Policies
Additional information is available in the ICaP Student Guide, which you can find online at http://www.sla.purdue.edu/academic/engl/ICaP/student_guide.html
Course Grade
I will use the scale below in determining your course grade.
| Letter Grade | Total Points |
| A+ | 97-100 |
| A | 94-96 |
| A- | 90-93 |
| B+ | 87-89 |
| B | 84-86 |
| B- | 80-83 |
| C+ | 77-79 |
| C | 74-76 |
| C- | 70-73 |
| D+ | 67-69 |
| D | 65-66 |
| F | 0-64 |
Daily Class Assignments:
WEEK 1:
Monday, Jan. 11: No reading. Syllabus discussion and introductions
Tuesday, Jan. 12: Dynamics in Document Design, “Analyzing the Audience: Competing Visions,” p. 152-167. Introduction to key rhetorical concepts (ethos, pathos, logos, thesis, audience awareness).
Wednesday/Friday Conferences: No homework. General Introductions.
Thursday, Jan. 14: The Odyssey, “In the One-Eyed Giant’s Cave,” p. 211-229 (I will email you a PDF file with The Odyssey chapters).
WEEK 2:
Monday, Jan. 18: MLK day. No class.
Tuesday, Jan. 19: The Odyssey, “Odysseus Strings his Bow,” p. 424-438 and “The Great Rooted Bed,” p. 455-467.
Wednesday/Friday Conferences: Come prepared to discuss your strengths and challenges with writing, as well as what you expect to get out of this class.
Thursday, Jan. 21: Pride and Prejudice, chapters I-XV (Vol. I), p. 3-51.
WEEK 3:
Monday, Jan. 25: Understanding MLA. I will email you links from the Purdue OWL to read for class.
Tuesday, Jan. 26: Pride and Prejudice, chapters XVI (Vol. I) – VII (Vol. II), p. 51-114.
Project 1 assignment sheet discussed.
Wednesday/Friday Conferences: We will discuss the ideas you have for Project 1.
Thursday, Jan. 28: Pride and Prejudice, chapters VIII (Vol. II) – I (Vol. III), p. 114-168.
WEEK 4:
Monday, Feb. 1: Read “Evaluating Sources” to “How do I evaluate web sources?” p. 184-191 (I will email you a PDF with this assignment). Learning to distinguish between credible and non-credible sources and websites.
Tuesday, Feb. 2: Pride and Prejudice, chapters II (Vol. III) – XIII (Vol. III), p. 168-228.
Wednesday/Friday Conferences: Select a research topic related to Project 1 for the Library Scavenger Hunt.
Thursday, Feb. 4: Pride and Prejudice, chapters XIV (Vol. III) – XIX (Vol. III), p. 228-254.
WEEK 5:
Monday, Feb. 8: Library Scavenger Hunt. Please read the information on the following links:
http://www.lib.purdue.edu/ugrl/inst/welcomenewboilers.pdf
http://www.lib.purdue.edu/ugrl/inst/generaldbss.pdf
http://www.lib.purdue.edu/ugrl/inst/indexes.pdf
http://www.lib.purdue.edu/ugrl/inst/locatingarticles.pdf
We will meet at Hicks Undergraduate Library.
Tuesday, Feb. 9: Susan Morgan’s “Perception and Pride and Prejudice,” p. 338-347 and Claudia L. Johnson’s “Pride and Prejudice and the Pursuit of Happiness,” p. 348-355.
Wednesday/Friday Conferences: Bring your three sources as well as your thesis statement for Project 1.
Thursday, Feb. 11: Dynamics in Document Design, “Freedom and Constraint in Reading,” p. 364-378.
WEEK 6:
We will watch Trouble the Water this week on an evening to be determined.
Monday, Feb. 15: No reading. We will watch and analyze internet videos about organizations and people doing heroic things.
Tuesday, Feb. 16: Runaways, books 1-5 (there are no page numbers).
Wednesday/Friday Conferences: Bring your paper’s outline for discussion.
Thursday, Feb. 18: Runaways, books 5-12.
WEEK 7:
Monday, Feb. 22: FIRST DRAFT OF PROJECT 1 DUE. Draft Workshop.
Tuesday, Feb. 23: Discussion of Trouble the Water part 1.
Wednesday/Friday Conferences: We will discuss your writing experience during Project 1. What worked? What didn’t?
Thursday, Feb. 25: FINAL DRAFT OF PROJECT 1 DUE. Discussion of Trouble the Water part 2.
Project 2 assignment sheet discussed.
You will choose your groups for Project 2 and decide whether you want to make a documentary or a preview, as well as the subject/topic you want to cover.
EXTRA CREDIT ATTENDANCE OF HENRIK IBSEN’S AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE. The play starts at 7:30 at Loeb Playhouse.
WEEK 8:
We will watch Born Into Brothels this week on an evening to be determined.
Monday, Mar. 1: Film Editing Software Workshop.
Tuesday, Mar. 2: Runaways, books 13-18.
Wednesday/Friday Conferences: Each group member will bring two sources for the paper. Groups will discuss their ideas for the video, as well as assign roles.
Thursday, Mar. 4: Please read the information on screenwriting at:
http://www.screenwriting.info/01.php
http://www.scriptfrenzy.org/howtoformatascreenplay
WEEK 9:
Monday, Mar. 8: No reading. We will watch and analyze superhero movie previews.
Tuesday, Mar. 9: Please read the information on storyboarding at:
http://accad.osu.edu/womenandtech/Storyboard%20Resource/
Wednesday/Friday Conferences: Groups doing previews will bring their screenplay and their storyboard. Groups doing documentaries will bring their film plan and their storyboard.
Thursday, Mar. 11: Discussion of Born Into Brothels, part 1.
SPRING BREAK: NO CLASS FROM MAR. 15 – MAR. 20.
WEEK 10:
Monday, Mar. 22: Discussion of Born Into Brothels, part 2.
Tuesday, Mar. 23: WORKSHOP OF FILM PLANS, SCREENPLAYS AND STORYBOARDS.
Wednesday/Friday Conferences: Final questions and arrangements before video shooting.
Thursday, March 25: Dynamics in Document Design, “The Legibility of Typography: Its Role in Seeing the Text,” p. 251-271.
YOU WILL SHOOT YOUR PREVIEW OR DOCUMENTARY THIS WEEKEND.
WEEK 11:
We will watch The Big Lebowski this week on an evening to be determined.
Monday, Mar. 29: Workshop on software for making websites.
Tuesday, Mar. 30: Joshuah Bearman’s “The Legend of Master Legend” (I will email you a PDF).
Wednesday/Friday Conferences: Discussion about video editing/paper analysis.
Thursday, Apr. 1: Dynamics in Document Design, “Fragmentation on the Web: A Case Study of the Virtual Tourist,” p. 390-407.
Project 3 assignment sheet discussed. Students select their partners for Project 3.
WEEK 12:
Monday, Apr. 5: PROJECT 2 DUE. Video screenings and presentations.
Tuesday, Apr. 6: Video screenings and presentations.
Wednesday/Friday Conferences: Partners or individuals discuss their website topic.
Thursday, Apr. 8: Discussion of The Big Lebowski, part 1.
WEEK 13:
Monday, Apr. 12: No reading. We will explore fan and organization websites.
Tuesday, Apr. 13: Walter Kim’s “A Hero for Our Time.” (I will email you a PDF). Discussion of The Big Lebowski, part 2.
Wednesday/Friday Conferences: Partners or individuals bring their website map as well as their three sources.
Thursday, Apr. 15: Dynamics in Document Design, “Five Ways to Integrate Prose and Graphics,” p. 412-430.
Sunday, April 18: DOCUMENTARY REVIEW EXTRA CREDIT DUE.
WEEK 14:
Monday, April 19: No reading. Website Aesthetics and Mapping.
Tuesday, April 20: PROJECT 3 DRAFT DUE. Website Workshop.
Wednesday/Friday Conferences: Final website discussion and questions.
Thursday, April 22: No reading. Portfolio assignment discussed.
WEEK 15:
Monday, April 26: PROJECT 3 DUE. Website presentations.
Tuesday, April 27: Website presentations.
Wednesday/Friday Conferences: Bring your portfolio outline.
Thursday, April 29: PORTFOLIO DRAFT DUE. Portfolio Workshop.
Fill out evaluations.
Sunday, May 2: PORTFOLIO DUE.
